Old Testament Summary Lesson 38: “Beside Me There Is No Savior”

Isaiah Said What He Meant: The other day at the Western (Wailing) Wall, a young Orthodox Jew was observing and listening to us, said “Isaiah could not be understood in English, you are interpreting it incorrectly.” Even though we were not reading about a “virgin birth,” he said that there are different meanings for “virgin.” I thought, what made him refer to the virgin when we were reading something completely different? My guests smiled as they noticed his objection to our sensing the Savior’s qualities – just letting Isaiah speak. I gently responded to him in Hebrew. It says the same in Hebrew!
Did He Mean More Than What He Said? Remember, there are two things necessary to understand the scriptures – the learning of the Jews and the Holy Spirit that reveals the subtleties. This lesson chapter deals with so many qualities of the Lord that it would be impractical to comment on each one. One beautiful attribute is his being, his body that he gave for us. Could Isaiah have been suggesting that everything around us can remind us of him, even “body language” refers to him? The Lord was called from the womb, a perfect body with attributes as eyes, ears, mouth, tongue, neck, heart, shoulder, hands, arms, belly, leg, knee, and foot.

Let the Words Speak for Themselves: Find the words . . . “Lift up your eyes on high,” . . . deaf that have ears . . .” “. . . thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;” “. . . for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” “. . . the hand of the LORD hath done this. . .” “. . . and their hearts, that they cannot understand.” “. . . formed me from the womb . . .” “. . . for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” “. . . every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” “. . . their tongue faileth . . . ” “. . . considereth in his heart . . .” “. . . He hath no hands . . .” “I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands . . . ” “. . . make bare the leg, uncover the thigh . . .” “. . . and his arm shall rule for him:” “. . . and carry them in his bosom . . .” “. . . and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.” “. . . with his feet.” “And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet;” “. . . called him to his foot,”
Isaiah Reminds Us, the Savior Is Real: Isaiah’s constant use of body language can be seen as a metaphor of the “Body of Christ.” “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:27